Member News
The proportion of unsatisfactory childminders in some deprived areas stands at more than 50 per cent, according to a report by Ofsted.
The watchdog discovered large disparities between different regions of England, with just 29 per cent of childminders rated as providing good or better childcare in Hackney, London, while 81 per cent secured similar ratings in Wokingham, Berkshire.
Called Leading to Excellence, the report was based on evidence from 90,000 inspections of 84,000 childcare providers.
In 25 local authorities, less than half of the childminding is deemed to be good or better.
"Children and families living in areas already experiencing relative deprivation therefore face further inequity because they have less access to high quality childcare provision," the report said.
However, Ofsted found that "significant" improvements have been made over the last three years, with the amount of nursery education institutions being rated as 'satisfactory' rising to 97 per cent, compared with less than 80 per cent three years ago.
A spokesperson for the Department for Children, Schools and Families said funding amounting to £305m has been set aside by the government for "early years graduate leader training, as we know that this is the best way to improve standards".
Shadow families minister Maria Miller said: "Despite spending £3bn a year on early years, the government has failed to ensure that children from the most disadvantaged backgrounds consistently have access to a choice of high quality childcare."
Dods Parliamentary Communications Ltd